Lottery turns clock back at country home

The servants’ quarters, reception rooms and some of the upstairs rooms at Sewerby Hall, near Bridlington, will be restored to how they looked in 1900.

Visitors and school groups will in future be able to step back in time, dressing up as Edwardian servants or members of ‘the family’, talking to costumed interpreters and try their hand at Edwardian cooking in the restored kitchen, complete with a coal-fired kitchen range.

The restoration, which will take 30 months, will cost a total of £2.6m, with the rest of the money coming from the owners East Riding Council.

At the end of the first year, there will be a new visitor orientation area, classroom for school groups and estate office in the restored Old Laundry Block.

Council leader Steve Parnaby said: “For years people have said Sewerby Hall is the jewel in East Riding’s crown, but the quality of the architecture and parkland has been let down by the poorly presented interiors and patchy educational provision.

“Working with the Heritage Lottery Fund and local volunteers, we intend to put that right and make Sewerby a fascinating, stimulating and informative day out for schools, residents and tourists.”

The hall was last occupied in 1934 and has since been owned by various councils.

Fiona Spiers, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said they were delighted “to be able to make the award so that this wonderful heritage can be enjoyed by current and future generations.”